The Once and Future Moon

by Paul D. Spudis

Book Overview

Looks at what has been learned from the Apollo program, as well as space probes, and describes the Moon's geology. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560986344
• ISBN13: 9781560986348
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (DC)
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Superb Discussion of the Moon's Origins, Exploration, and Reasons for Returning There

No one has been a more eloquent spokesperson for a return to the Moon than lunar scientist Paul Spudis, currently on the staff of the Applied Physics Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University. This book is both a breathless survey of the history of lunar exploration, using both robotic spacecraft and the astronauts of Apollo, as well as an eloquent statement of rationales for renewed involvement with the Moon. In his first part Spudis concentrates on describing the Moon and what humans know about it. As a geologist he focuses on the landforms of the Moon, systematically working through discussions of the regolith, volcanism, tectonic actions, impacts and the creation of the lunar face. In this context he discusses in some detail the origins of the Moon, a subject of perennial debate in scientific circles. While still contested, Spudis notes that detailed information from the Apollo exploration of the Moon pointed toward an impact theory--which suggests that the Earth collided with a very large object (as big as Mars or more)--and that the Moon formed from the ejected material. This "big whack" theory explained well what was learned about the geology and selenogony of the Moon during the Apollo program. While there are still details to be worked out, the impact theory is now widely accepted. In the end, Spudis believes that only further research will be able to resolve this question. The heart of "The Once and Future Moon," however, is Spudis's erudite and impassioned plea for a return to the Moon after more than a generation, the manner in which it might be accomplished, and the scientific activities that might take place there. He offers many reasons for undertaking a renewed lunar exploration program. The rationales include everything from scientific exploration of the Moon, essentially completing the task begun by earlier efforts, as well as developing the resources of the Moon for human use, and engaging in other lunar activities such as astronomy from its surface. This is a very fine book. Now a decade old, it is time for a new edition of the work, discussing the debate over the possibilities of ice on the lunar poles, and NASA's plans for returning to our nearest neighbor in the solar system. I hope Spudis will undertake this revision in the near term. Until then, I highly recommend this work as an outstanding explanation of the Moon and its place in the human existence.

Manifesto For Mankind's Return to the Moon

Dr Paul Spudis is one of the preeminent lunar geologists today and in his book he makes an eloquent argument for the importance of continuing manned exploration of the moon which ended with the return of Apollo 17 in December 1972.The book is divided into two parts. The first gives a description of the bulk characteristics of the moon. He then goes into a fairly detailed description of what exploration of the moon has revealed in terms of lunar geology. The geological part of the book is written on the level of the "educated layman" so some might find it difficult by a glossary is provided that helps considerably. Spudis is not afraid to challenge the "commonly accepted wisdom". For example, he expresses a healthy skepticism about parts of the now largely accepted "big whack theory" that says a Mars-sized primordial object impacted the fledgling earth in a glancing blow that ejected a large amount of material into space which went into orbit around the earth and later coalesced inot the Moon and also greatly speeded up the earth's rotation about its axis. Spudis says the theory is so broad that it is used to explain away inconvenient data of which he provides examples.The last part of the book consists of ideas on how the Moon could be explored and colonized in the future on an economically viable basis. For example the lunar regolith (soil) consists of a lot of oxygen which could be extracted. Similarly, the Clementine and Lunar Prospector spacecraft have possibly found water in the permanently shaded regions of craters near the lunar north and south poles which could be exploited in order to "live off the land".Finally, Spudis makes an eloquent plea for the continuation of manned exploration of space pointing out that it is not enough to use robot spacecraft, but only man himself, on the spot, can really understand and analyze what is being seen firsthand, as well as having the ability to overcome unforeseen problems and malfunctions. Since the Moon is much closer to the Earth than Mars is and is much cheaper and easier to reach, the Moon is the logical choice as the next destination for continued exploration of the Solar System.

Upto date book on the moon written by an expert.

An excellent introduction to the moon, the geology, the detective/sceintific work in finding the dates for events on the moon. The suprises turned up by appolo (like the uneven gravity field that put appollo 11 off course on landing and almost destroyed it). And the moons great potential for teaching us about the solar system and our own planet.

Great Resource for Science Fiction Writers

The Once and Future Moon by Paul D. Spudis combines clear, straightforward writing with solid science to give us a comprehensive picture of the geological and human history of the moon, as well as well-reasoned speculation about what the Moon might hold for future human exploration and colonization. This book has become an essential reference for me in my writing of a science fiction novel about a Moon colony. The latest ideas about what human explorers and colonists can expect to accomplish in astronomy and lunar science and what lunar resources they can exploit for survival and profit are all clearly presented. The book also presents the best arguments I have heard for the continued human exploration of space, and why NASA's current bureaucracy isn't up to the job

An introduction to Lunar Science

This is the best introduction to the moon that I've encountered. Dr. Spudis clearly addresses the varies areas of lunar exploration--both past and future--and the findings of these visits. While addressing the issues of lunar geology (basin formation, cratering, volcanism, and regolith formation), he keeps the language non-technical and even enjoyable to read. While other introductions fail (in my mind) by being too brief, this volume 'does it all'. I have been very pleased with this book and highly recommend it as the only quality introductory text on the moon